T-34s may be aerobatic airplanes but they have proven unable to endure the daily 6G pounding of mock air combat. Photos above show extensive cracking in rudder assembly.

by Paul Bertorelli

As a second choice after “what do you do if the engine quits,” the dumbest question we hear from non-pilots making small talk at parties is: “Don’t you worry that those old airplanes you fly will come apart in the air?” Like every other owner or pilot, we sigh heavily and spout the party line. If properly maintained, old airplanes should last forever. And like every other pilot, we say that because we’ve been told that. Yet have barely a shred of compelling evidence—other than a fleet of ancient airplanes that haven’t fallen apart yet—that it’s true. …